Is There Hope?

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5

As Christians, our hope is different than what the world can comprehend or claim as their own. Our hope is not rooted in snappy slogans, clever ideas, or the supposed inherent goodness of mankind. If we look at history, that kind of hope inevitably and always disappoints.

Our hope is rooted, instead, in Jesus Christ. And through Him, we have been given real hope for this life and the life to come. It is this hope, and faith, and love that we must share with this dark world. Thankfully, the darkness of the world has no successful defense against this light that shines against it. Join with me, for a moment, and consider the power of a real hope that does not and cannot put us to shame.

Christian hope isn't one that ignores real suffering but rather rejoices in God's love for us and for others when the going gets tough. As Christians answer suffering with the love of God shown to us in Jesus Christ, amazing things happen.

Consider the suffering and disaster wrought by Roe v. Wade. Think of how hopeless it could have been in the months following that decision.

And now, think of the effect hopeful and loving Christians have had since. Not content just to picket, Christians have been behind the dramatic increase in adoption, crisis pregnancy care, 3D ultrasound, the closing of abortion clinics and the exposure of their abuse of women, etc.

In 1973, Christians were told the battle was over and that they were on the wrong side of history. And yet, today, it appears the battle has turned and that the God of history is still on our side.

Brothers and sisters, the Lord is producing endurance and character and hope in you as you meet today's sufferings by standing in the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. We know this is true in our private sufferings but it is no less true in our public ones. Jesus Christ privately and publicly suffered for you so that you might show the hope of the gospel to all peoples not only in word but also in deed.

Let's not miss this chance for something extraordinary in our lifetime. Will there be suffering and hardship? Yes, and only the grace of God will answer it. Is there hope? Yes, and it is as sure and certain as Jesus Christ raised from the dead.

Minnesota Family Council partners with an ever increasing number of Christians, pastors, and churches around our state to make the love of Christ known, represented, and enacted in all areas of public life--especially those touching life, marriage, family, and religious liberty. After all, it is not enough for us to proclaim the good tidings of great joy on Sunday and then fail to make them known in every aspect of our lives the rest of the week.

God has granted us these times in which to live, and He has prepared good works for us to do in them. May we be hopeful and rejoice in the challenge.